Washougal Paraeducator Named State Employee of the Year

The state award recognizes Dana Wilson for her work supporting students and families in Washington schools.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Administration

Gouache-painted illustration of a desk with notebooks and a fern, evoking the supportive and studious environment of a classroom. — Dana Wilson of the Washougal School District was named Washington State Classified School Employee of the Year for 2026. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction has named Washougal School District paraeducator Dana Wilson as the 2026 Washington State Classified School Employee of the Year. This state-level recognition follows her earlier selection as the regional winner for Educational Service District 112.

Why it matters

The award highlights the essential role of support staff in fostering inclusive school cultures and driving academic outcomes for multilingual learners. It underscores the importance of school-family collaborations in identifying and addressing the diverse needs of students in the local community.

Dana Wilson serves as a multilingual learner paraeducator at Jemtegaard Middle School within the Washougal School District. Her recognition follows two years of service as a co-presenter at the regional Multilingual Mini-Conference.

The players

Dana Wilson

A multilingual learner paraeducator at Jemtegaard Middle School and the 2026 Washington State Classified School Employee of the Year.

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

The state agency responsible for overseeing Washington's K-12 public education system and recognizing outstanding school staff.

Washougal School District

The local public school district in Washington state that employs Wilson and supports multilingual student programs.

The details

As a paraeducator, Wilson works closely with classroom teachers, counselors, and family support staff to identify the specific academic and social needs of students. She monitors individual student progress throughout the school year and adjusts instructional strategies to help learners meet their personal goals. This collaborative approach focuses on building a supportive environment that prioritizes student success through consistent, individualized engagement.

October 30, 2026: Dana Wilson named Washington State Classified School Employee of the Year.
2026: Wilson named Regional Classified School Employee of the Year by ESD 112.
2024-2026: Wilson served as a co-presenter at the regional Multilingual Mini-Conference.

The Home Front

This award marks a significant milestone in the ongoing state-level focus on recognizing the critical support provided by non-certified staff. It reflects broader efforts by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to elevate the professional standards of paraeducators statewide.

Families with students in multilingual programs should connect with their school’s paraeducators to understand the support strategies available for their children. Engaging with staff who collaborate on academic goals can help you better track your student's progress throughout the year.

The takeaway

The state-wide recognition of local support staff underscores the value of proactive parent-teacher-paraeducator communication. Families can support these efforts by staying in contact with school staff regarding their child's specific academic goals and instructional adjustments.